Work distributing platform



J 1951 G. T. SMITH 2,560,459 1* WORK DISTRIBUTING PLATFORM Filed March 28, 1949 v INVENTOR. \wao Gnome T. Sum:

14 TI'OFNEV Patented July 10, 1951 p 2,560,490 WORK DISTRIBUTING PLATFORM George 'l. Smith, :Lansing, Michi, assignor to George T. Smith, 'Inc., Lansing, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 28, 1949, seam... 83,839

3 Claims. (Cl. 312140.3)

This invention relates to a multiple compart ment platform, primarily for useatthe loading or unloading end of a moving conveyor system suchas disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 83,838, filed March 28, 1949.

In the above-identified application, a system for checking out merchandise in a market of the self-serve type is disclosed, in which the purchaser places articles selected, as a group, in individual compartments to be sorted, checked, and priced on a movable conveyor. The goods for each customer are placed in one of a plurality of compartments at one end of the conveyor system. The goods then pass along the conveyor and terminate in one of a plurality of compartments, substantially similar to the first compartments, at the opposite end of the conveyor.

The present invention relates to the arrangement and details of construction of a suitable compartment platform for the speedy handling of goods handled by a movable conveyor.

It is an object of'this invention to provide a platform having its upper surface inclined in a direction to assist, by gravity, the movement of the goods toward or away from the conveyor; the direction of inclination depending upon the end location of the platform with respect to the conveyor travel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a platform having a plurality of compartments, any one of which is individually and selectively accessible to the conveyor and to isolate the other compartments from the conveyor and from each other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved platform.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the platform shown in Fig. l on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the platform shown on reduced scale.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing the inclined top surface in the opposite direction.

Referring to the drawings the platform comprises a pedestal H! in the form of a box-like structure having an upper surface. inclined toward one side thereof. Extending vertically above the upper surface are end walls I2, a side wall I4 and segmental side walls [6. Vertical partitions l8 are provided, dividing the upper surface into compartments 20.22 and 24. Gates 26 are provided in the partitions "1B which are pivoted on hinges 28f When the gates arein the position shown in Fig. l, the upper surface of the platform is divided into compartments? three being herein illustrated. The end compartments are confined, in area, by the side walls and gate; the center compartment having an open end through which goods may pass thereinto, or if the inclination is reversed the goods may freely pass out of the compartment.

In the loading or unloading operation, goods are placed in the compartments in separated arrangement so that each group occupies a single compartment. When the gates are in the position shown in Fig. l, the central compartment is open for removing the goods through one end and the end compartments are confined.

When it is desired to pass the goods from one of the end compartments, the gate 26 for that compartment is swung into contact with the other gate, closing the central compartment and permitting travel of the goods through the open end of the central compartment. The movement of one gate to the other gate closes the central compartment. By reversing the movement of the gates the opposite end compartment has an open passage through the central compartment opening. Thus, by moving the two gates into predetermined positions, either one of the three compartments communicates with the open end and any one of the other two compartments is closed.

I have shown lowered supporting platforms 30 at the outer corners of the pedestal H] to provide rests for cases, bags or the like for supporting the latter while packing or unpacking the goods of one compartment into its container.

From the above it will be understood that I have provided a segregated merchandise platform which confines groups of merchandise in separate compartments and yet permits each. group to be slidingly removed or received into any compartment through a common opening.

It will be understood that various changes including the size, shape, arrangement of parts, and number of compartments may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and it is not my intention to limit its scope other than by the terms of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A loading platform comprising a pedestal having a slanting top surface, side walls and end walls extending above said top surface, spaced partitions on said slanting top surface the first-named side wall providing an opening between said end walls, swinging gates forming movable partitions above said slanting top surface and between said end walls and side walls to provide separate compartments above said slanting top surface, each of said gates being of suflicient length so that in one of its positions 1 Of swinging movement its one end will contact the other gate.

3. A loading platform comprising a pedestal having a slanting top surface, a side wall and end walls extending vertically above said slant- '4 ing top surface, segmental side walls opposite to the first-named side wall, said segmental side walls having their adjacent ends in spaced apart relation forming an opening therebetween, partitions extending from said first-named side wall to each of the adjacent ends of said segmental side walls to form in cooperation with said side and end walls a plurality of compartments above said slanting top surface, each of said partitions having a swinging portion which when swung to a fully open position will permit communication between said opening and one of said compartments and will prevent communication between said opening and the remaining compartments.

GEORGE T. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Corbell Aug. 11, 1942 Number 

